English 1690 Naval Infantry Officer’s Sword

A superb and unique example of an English 1690 Naval Infantry Officer's Sword

This English 1690 Naval Infantry Officer's Sword is of a type carried during the late-17th Century. It is of exceptional quality and very well balanced in the hand. With brass shell guard hilt and polished hardwood grip. The pommel has a flattened brass profile with a pronounced ball tang button. The blade forte is engraved with the date 1690 and "WG" - it is assumed that this is the maker's initials - unlikely to be the owner. Reverse of the blade forte has a deeply impressed armourer's mark. The exceptionally long and slightly curved blade is swolen towards the point and would have made a very effective fighting sword both on board the deck of a warship but also in the melee of land-based combat. It is very rare to see swords of this period dated to the hilt or blade and I have never encountered a similar example of this sword type and it is likey that a very small number were produced.

Condition of the Sword

The long, curved and bulbous blade is in excellent condition and with a pleasant grey age patina. Hilt is in superb shape and so is the grip.